Dirigible headlight



Dec. 17, 1.929. G. s. KEcK 1,740,178

DIRIGIBLE HEADLIGHT Filed April 6, 1927 lill/IIIA ,4 7 Tom/Ex Patented Dec. 17, 1929 UNITED STATES GEORGE S. KECK, 0F PASADENA, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO PILOT RAY CORPORATION,

PATENT OFFICE OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE DIRIGIBLE HEADLIG'HT Application filed 'April 6, 1927. Serial No. 181,327.

This invention relates to dirigible headlights and the present applicationis in part a division of the application for patent filed by me February 23, 1927, Serial No. 170,085.

One object ot'- the invention is to provide a supporting andoperating 'mechanism for an automobile headlight which will be compact in its arrangement and of a neat attractive appearance, and in which the operating mechanism will be concealed from view.

A further object of the invention is to provide a supporting and operating device of such a character that the headlight and the parts immediately connected -therewith may be moved to a posit-ion in which they will not interefere with the hand cranking of the automobile.

A further object of the invention is to provide an operative connection between the headlight and the steering mechanism which will prevent vibrations and minor movements of the steering mechanism from being transmittted to the headlight.

A further object of the invention is to provide a supporting and operating mechanism which will be simple in its construction and operation and which may be produced at a low cost.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the device is described in detail. y

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an automobile showing my invention applied thereto Fig. 2 is a plan view of a headlight supporting and operating mechanism embodying my invention, with the lamp casing in section; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the same, partly in elevation; Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the connection between the headlight mechanism and the steering mechanism; and Fig. 5 is a detail of the connection between the two parts of the operating shaft. i

In these drawings I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention and have shown the same as comprising a support for a single headlight to be arranged in front of the automobile radiator, but it will be understood that the device may take various forms and that various parts thereof may be used in connection with installations embodying two headlights.

In that particular embodiment of the invention here illustrated the supporting structure as a whole comprises two supporting members, 5 and 6, which, in the present instance, are mounted on the side members of the automobile frame, these frame members being designated, respectively, as A and` B. The supporting members may be secured to the frame in any suitable manner and, in the present instance, they are carried by brackets 7 which are secured to the tops of the frame members by bolts, or otherwise. Each supporting member has a boss 8 eX- tending through an opening in one of the y brackets, anda screw 9 is threaded into the boss and serves to secure the supporting member to the bracket and to the frame. Extending between and supported by the supporting members 5 and 6 is a transverse member 10, which is here shown as comprising two short tubular sections 11 and 12 connected one to the other by a housing or headlight supportl ing head 13. This housing-has at its opposite sides integral bosses 14 into which thel ends of the tubular members 11 and 12 extend and within which they are firmly held, preferably by pressing the same into the respective bosses and securing tliem therein by screws 15. This transverse member is movably connected with thetwo frame members A and B. Preferably .the transverse member is pivotally mounted at one end on the adjacent frame member andis detachably mounted at its other end on the other frame member. The pivotal connection between the transverse member and the one frame member may take va'- ber. The outer end of the shaft 36 extends beyond the supporting member 5 and through the adjacent fender and has secured thereto a suitable actuating device, such as a crank arm 38a, which may be connected with the steering mechanism in the usual or any suitable manner. Preferably the connection of the operating mechanism for the headlight with the steering mechanism is of such a character that it will prevent the transmission of vibrations and minor movements of the steering mechanism to the headlight. In the present construction, the crank arm 38a is connected with a rock arm or swinging lever 39 which forms a part of the usual steering mechanism of an automobile and which is connected with the steering wheels of the automobile by a rod 40. In the arrangement here shown I have connected the crank arm I38 with the swinging lever 39 by a connecting rod comprising a part 4l pivotally connected with the crank arm 38aL and slidably mounted in a bearing bracket 42 carrie-d by the adjacent frame member of the automobile. The connecting rod further comprises a second part 43 pivotally connected with a swinging lever 39. As here shown, the part 43 of the connecting rod is pivotally mounted on a bracket 44 carried by a clamp 45 which serves to secure it to the lever 39. The two parts 41 and 43 of the connecting rod are connected one to the other by a yieldable device 46` There is necessarily more or less frictional resistance to the movements of the headlight and of its operating mechanism and the yieldability of the device 46 is so proportioned to this resistance that it will yield under the influence of such vibrations or such minor movements as may be imparted to the swinging lever by the wheels of the automobile, thus absorbing these vibrations and preventing the movements from being transmitted to the headlight. Vhen a substantial movement is imparted to the swinging lever, by the steering mechanism itself, this movement will be transmitted from one part of the connecting rod to the other and to the headlight operating mechanism, thus causing the lheadlight to be turned in accordance with the movement of the steering` mechanism. The yieldable device may be of any suitable character. As here shown, it comprises a tubular member 47 which is rigidly .secured to the part 4l of the connecting rodv and in effect forms a part thereof. This tubular member is closed at its ends by screw-threaded plugs 48 and 49 which are provided with inwardly extending bosses or stops 50. The tubular member or sleeve has near its centeran inwardly extending rib 5l which constitutes a stop and provides the tubular member with a reduced central opening. A plunger 52 is rigidly connected with the other part, 43, of the connecting rod so as to form in effect a part thereof and is slidably mounted in the end walls or plugs 48 and 49 of the tubular member. This plunger has an enlarged portion 53 which is slidably mounted in the reduced opening in the sleeve. Loosely mounted on the plunger are collars 54 and 55 which normally ab-ut against the respective sides of the part 53 of the plimger and are of such a diameter that they will overlap the adjacent ends of the inwardly extending rib or stop 5l in the sleeve. Coiled about the plunger are springs 56 and 57 which are confined respectively between the end plug 48 and the collar 54 and between the end plug 49 and the collar 55. It will be apparent that if the plunger is moved forwardly with relation to the sleeve the enlarged portion thereof will engage the collar 54 and compress the spring 56 until the collar engages the projecting end or boss 50 of the plug 48, which engagement will establish a positive connection between the plunger and the tubular member and cause the operation of the headlight mechanism. If the plunger is moved in the opposite direction the spring 57 will likewise be compressed. Thus the plunger, and consequently the steering mechanism, can have minor movements in either direction which will not be imparted to the headlight mechanism but any material movements ofthe plunger will be transmitted to the headlight mechanism.

1While I have shown and described one. embodiment of my invention I wish it to be understoodv that I do not desire to be limited to the details thereof as various modifications may occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

5l.` In a dirigible headlight mechanism, a tubular member adapted to extend transversely to the frame of an automobile, means for pivotalljy and slidably connecting one end of said transverse member with said frame and for holding the same normally against sliding movement, means controlled by the sliding movement of said transverse member for, detachably connecting the other end thereof with said frame, a headlight pivotally mounted on said transverse member, operating mechanism for said headlight comprising a shaft mounted in said tubular transverse member, a second shaft supported independently of and extending into said tubular transverse member, and means controlled by the longitudinal movement of said transverse member' for connecting and disconnecting said shafts.

2. In a dirigible headlight mechanism, supporting members having means for mounting the same on the frame of an automobile, one of said members being capable of pivotal movement, a tubular transverse member,

lll)

sliding movement, the` other of said supporting members ,having a transversely extending tubular portion, a tubel mounted in said.

tubularportion of. said supportingniember,

means for clamping the tubular; portioirof ating mechanism for said headlight carried' by saiditransverse member.

3. In a dirigible headlight mechanism, supporting members having means for mounting the same o n the framel of an automobile, one of'saidvinembers comprising a split sleeve movableI about a vertical axis, a tubular transverse member having one end extending through said Split sleever and held normally againstemovement Awith' relation thereto, the upper portion of the other of said supporting members comprising a split sleeve', a tube mountedv Within the last mentioned split sleeve, a sleeve mounted Within, said tube and extending beyond the inner end thereof and adaptedA to` enter said tubular transverse member, a headlight pivotally mounted on said transversemember, and operating mechanism for said headlight comprising shafts mounted respectively in said tubular transverse member and said sleeve and detachably connected one to the other. y

4.- In a dirigible headlight mechanism, a tubular member, means for supporting said tubular member in a position transverse to the frame of an automobile, aA hollow lamp supporting. headv carried by said su-pporting `member and 'having a bearing mounted in the loWer portion thereof for axial adjustment with relationv thereto, a bearing iii the upper portion of said head, a shaft ournaled in said bearings, held against axial` movement Withrelation to said lower bearing and extending above said upperbearing, means for securing a headlight to the upper end of said shaft independently of saidhead, a shaft journaled in said tubular member, means for operatively connecting the last mentioned shaft with the first mentioned shaft, and means for operatively connectingthe last iiioiitioned shaft with the steeringmechanism of `said automobile.

5; In a dirigiblefheadlight mechanism, a tubular member adapted to. extendl transversely to the frame of an automobile and comprising a lampA supporting head, ahbearing member. mounted inthe lower portion of saidlamp supportinghead for axial adJustment With relation thereto .and provided With a tapered bearing socket, said head also having a tapered bearing at the upper endtl'iereof, a shaft'having a tapered end` seated `in the lower bearingmember and fhaving a taf pered part extending through said upperu` bearing, a collar mounted on said shaft abovel said head,l a lamp having an apertured portion to receive the upper part of said shaft, a nut to clamp. said portion of said. lamp against said collar, a shaft journaled in said tubular transverse member extending,transversely to.l the first mentioned shaft, and means for operatively connecting saidsliafts one Withwthe other.

6. In adirigible headlight mechanism, anA elongated member adapted to-eXtend trans#A versely to the frame of anautomobile, means for slidably connecting one end of said trans` verse member with said frame and for hold-- ing the same normallyagainst sliding'moven nient, and means controlledy by the vslidii-igv movement of said transverse member for detachably connecting the other end thereofy withI s'aidframe, alieadlight pivotallymountedfon said transverse member, andan operat-`v` ing device for said headlight comprising two" parts, oneof Which is carriedbysaid transverse member, andfmean's to normally conneet-'the tvvo paits'of 'said deviceanditopermit the same to be disconnectedrwhen the= lastmentioned end of-said transverse-meme ber is disconnected from said frame.

.7. In a dirigible headlight mechanisiii,l an

elongated member, adapted'to' extend.: trans-- versely to the'frame oflan automobile, meansA for pivotally and slidably connecting one'end` of said vtransverse memberv with said frame and for holding the saine normally against sliding movement, means controlledl 'by the sliding movement of said transverse mem#V ber for detachably connectingy the other end thereof lvvitlrsaidI frame and holdingthe samel against pivotal movement, a' headliglit-pivotallymounted'on said transverse member,

and an operating device' for said :headlighty comprising tivo partsone of which is carried by said transverse member, and means'controlled bythe sliding movement of said trans-v verse member to connect and disconnect'saidI`v parts of said Operating device.

8; Ina dirigiblc headlight mechanism, an

elongated member adapted to extend trans-` supporting the same on said-frame'adiacenti' to the tubular end of said transverse mem ber `and havinga part adapted to enter said Y tubular end of said transverse member and support the same, a headlight mounted on said'transverse member for movement about a `vertical axis, and an operating device for said headlight comprising a part mounted inA said tubular portion of said transverse member for longitudinal movement therewith, and a second part mounted on the member which supports the tubular end oflsaid transverse member, and means controlled by the sliding movement of said transverse member to connect and disconnect said parts of said actuating device. f A

9. In a dirigible headlight mechanism', support-ing members having means for mounting the same on the frame of an automobile, one of said members being capable of pivotal movement, a tubular transverse member, means for slidably connecting said transverse member with said movable supporting member and for holding the same normally against sliding movement, a tube- .y carried by the other of said supporting members, a connecting member mounted in said tube, projecting beyond the inner end thereof and adapted to enter the adjacent end of said tubular transverse member, a headlight pivotally mounted on said transverse member, and an operating device for said headlight comprising a part mounted in said tubular transverse member for longitudinal movement therewith, and a second part carried by the last mentioned supporting member and extending into said tubular transverse member, and means controlled by the sliding movement of said transverse member to connect and disconnect the two parts of said actuating device.

10. In a dirigible headlight mechanism, supporting members having means for mounting'the same on the frame of an automobile, one of said supporting members comprising a sleeve capable of pivotal movement with relation to said frame, a transverse member having one end slidably mounted in said sleeve and held normally against movement with relation thereto, the other end of said transverse member andthe other of said supporting members having parts arranged to be brought into and out of supporting en gagement one with the other by the longitudinal movement of said transverse member, a headlight pivotally mounted on said transverse member, an operating shaft for said headlight mounted on said transverse member for longitudinal movement therewith, a second shaft mounted on the last mentioned supporting member, and means controlled by thesliding movement of said transverse member to connect and disconnect said shafts.

In testimony whereof, I aiiiX my signature hereto.

GEORGE S. KECK. 

